alkali

Meaning

1. One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, soda ash, caustic soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing characteristics are dissolving in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.
2. Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters.

Synonyms

base

lye

alkaline

salt

🧂

natron

alk

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæl.kəˌlaɪ/

Etymology

From French alcali, ultimately from Arabic اَلْقِلْي (al-qily, “alkali, ashes of the saltwort”), related to قَلَى (qalā, “to roast in a pan, fry”).